Meeting The Needs Of Distance Learners 
Of M Ed Program: Bangladesh Open University Perspective


Year 2014, , 175 - 193, 01.06.2014

Amirul Islam Sakiba Ferdowsı

https://doi.org/10.17718/tojde.60412

Cited By: 2

Abstract

This study draws on the experience of a cohort of 22 students from 09 tutorial centers enrolled in a Master of Education (M Ed) distance learning program administered by the Bangladesh Open University (BOU). It's purpose is to locate the aims and philosophies of distance learning within the experiences of actual distance learners in order to see if learners' needs were being met by the program and to obtain a fuller understanding of core aspects of distance education. The study found that students were, on the whole, satisfied with the course materials, the choice of modules, assignment feedback, and length of time given to complete the assignments, but significant problems surfaced regarding issues of student support, and access to and provision of resource materials. Arguably, these are issues intrinsic to the successful provision of distance learning courses, and the results both concord with aspects of the research literature (Burge & Howard, 1990; Chen, 1997; Hyland, 2001; Morgan, 1995; Robinson, 1995; Simpson, 2000; Tait, 2000) and raise some interesting questions regarding the provision of distance education and its ability to meet the needs of learners.

Keywords

Distance Education; Distance Learners; Needs of Distance Learners; Students’ Satisfaction.

References

• Appleton, M. (1994). Investigating library services for post-graduate off-campus students. In T. Evans & D. Murphy (Eds.), Research in distance education 3 (pp. 78-90).
• Geelong, Victoria, Australia: Deakin University Press. Beare, P. L. (1989). The comparative effectiveness of videotape, audiotape, and telelecture in delivering continuing teacher education. The American Journal of Distance Education, 3(2), 57-66.
• Bell, J. (1999). Doing your research project: A guide for first-time researchers in education and social science. Buckingham, England: Open University Press.
• Burge, E. J., & Howard, J. L. (1990). Audio-conferencing in graduate education: A case study. The American Journal of Distance Education, 4(2), 3-13.
• Cavanagh, A. (1994). The role of libraries in off-campus study. In T. Evans & D. Murphy
• (Eds.), Research in distance education 3 (pp. 91-102). Geelong, Victoria, Australia: Deakin University Press. Charp, S. (1997). Strategies for bridging distances. THE Journal (Technological Horizons in Education), 24(9), 6-8.
• Chen, L. (1997). Distance delivery systems in terms of pedagogical considerations: A revolution. Educational Technology, 37(4), 34-37.
• Cohen, L., & Manion, L. (1994). Research methods in education (4th ed.). London: Routledge.
• Delbeq, A., & Scates, D. (1989, August). Distance education through telecommunications:
• A review of lessons learned. A special report of the American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business. Dillon, C., Gunawardena, C., & Parker, R. (1992). An evaluation of learner support services in a distance education system. Distance Education, 13(1), 29-45.
• Egan, M. W., Sebastian, J., & Welch, M. (1991, March). Effective television teaching:
• Perceptions of those who count mostƒdistance learners. Proceedings of the Rural Education Symposium. Nashville, TN. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED373708)
• Foks, J. (1987). Towards open learning. In P. Smith & M. Kelly (Eds.), Distance education and the mainstream (pp. 74-92). London: Croom Helm.
• Garrison, G. R. (1990). Understanding distance education: A framework for the future. London: Routledge.
• Hilgenberg, C., & Tolone, W. (2000). Student perceptions of satisfaction and opportunities for critical thinking in distance education by interactive video, The American Journal of Distance Education, 14(3), 59-73.
• Holmberg, B. (1986). Growth and structure of distance education. Kent, England: Croom Helm.
• Holmberg, B. (1989). Theory and practice of distance education. New York: Routledge.
• Hyland, F. (2001). Providing effective support: Investigating feedback to distance language learners. Open Learning, 16(3): 234-247.
• Johnstone, S. (1991). Research on telecommunicated learning: Past, present and future.
• The Annals of the American Academy of Political Science, 514, 49-57. Jones, T. (1992). IITS students' evaluation questionnaires for the fall semester of 1991.
• A summary and report. (ERIC document Reproduction Service No. ED 345716)
• Keegan, D. (1990). Foundations of distance education (2nd ed.). London: Routledge
• Kirkup, G., & Jones, A. (1996). New technologies for open learning: The superhighway to the learning society? In P. Raggatt, R. Edwards, & N. Small (Eds.), Adult learners, education and training 2: The learning society -challenges and trends (pp. 272-291). London: Routledge.
• Lawler, E. E. (1973). Motivation in work organizations. Monterey, CA: Brooks/Cole.
• Lewis, R. (1995). Support for the in-company learner. In F. Lockwood (Ed.), Open and distance learning today (pp. 242-254). London: Routledge.
• Lewis, R., & Spencer, D. (1986). What is open learning? London: Council for Educational Technology.
• Lim, C. K. (2001). Computer self-efficacy, academic self-concept, and other predictors of satisfaction and future participation of adult distance learners. The American Journal of
• Distance Education, 15(2), 41-51. McCleary, I. D., & Egan, M. W. (1989). Program design and evaluation: Two-way interactive television. The American Journal of Distance Education, 3(1), 50-60.
• McDonough, J., & McDonough, S. (1997). Research methods for English language teachers. London: Arnold.
• Morgan, A. R. (1995). Student learning and students' experiences. In F. Lockwood (Ed.),
• Open and distance learning today: (pp. 56-66). London Routledge. Murphy, D., & Yum, J. C. K. (1998). Understanding Hong Kong distance learners. Distance Education, 19(1), 64-80.
• National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). (1999). Distance education at postsecondary education institutions: 1997-98 (NCES2000-013). Report prepared by L.
• Lewis, K. Snow, E. Farris, & D. Levin. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office. Available at http:/nces.ed.gov/pubs2000/2000013.pdf
• Poppleton, P. (1988) Teacher professional satisfaction: Its implications for secondary education and teacher education. Cambridge Journal of Education, 18, 5-16.
• Robinson, B. (1995). Research and pragmatism in learner support. In F. Lockwood (Ed.),
• Open and distance learning today (pp. 221-231). London: Routledge. Rogers, A. (1996). Teaching adults. Buckingham, England: Open University Press.
• Rogers, J. (1989). Adults learning. Milton Keynes, England: Open University Press.
• Rumble, G. (1989). "Open learning," "distance learning," and the misuse of language. Open Learning, 4(2), 28-36.
• Rumble, G. (1992). The management of distance learning systems. Paris: UNESCO,
• International Institute for Educational Planning. Rust, J., & Golombok, S. (1992). Modern psychometrics: The science of psychological assessment. London: Routledge.
• Schlosser, C. A., & Anderson, M. L. (1994). Distance education: Review of the literature.
• Ames, IA: Research Institute for Studies in Education. Seliger, H. W., & Shohamy, E. (2000). Second language research methods. Oxford,
• England: Oxford University Press. Sewart, D. (1988). Distance teaching: A contradiction in terms? In D. Sewart, D. Keegan,
• & B. Holmberg (Eds.), Distance education: International perspectives (pp. 46-61). New York: Routledge. Simpson, O. (2000). Supporting students in open and distance learning. London: Kogan Page.
• Snowden, B. L., & Daniel, J. S. (1988). The economics and management of small post- secondary distance education systems. In D. Sewart, D. Keegan, & B. Holmberg (Eds.),
• Distance education: International perspectives (pp. 398-424). New York: Routledge. Speth, C. (1991). Important themes and concepts in technology based distance education: A review of the research literature (Monograph Reviewing Research
• Literature). Manhattan: University of Kansas. Stone, H. (1990). Does interactivity matter in video-based off-campus graduate engineering education? Unpublished manuscript.
• Tait, A. (1995). Student Ssupport in open and distance learning. In F. Lockwood (Ed.),
• Open and distance learning today (pp. 232-241). London: Routledge. Tait, A. (2000). Planning student support in distance and open learning. Open Learning, 15(3), 287-299.
• Threlkeld, R. (1992). Recent research and evaluation studies for high school distance learning. Panel presentation, National University Continuing Education Annual Meeting, San Diego, CA.
• Threlkeld, R., & Brzoska, K. (1994). Research in distance education. In B. Willis (Ed.),
• Distance education: Strategies and tools (pp. 41-66). Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Educational Technology Publications. UKeU (2003). UK eUniversities Worldwide Web site. Available at http://www.ukeu.com/ukuniversities_partners.php
• Verduin, J. R., Jr., & Clark, T. A. (1991). Distance education: The foundations of effective practice. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass Publishers.
• Walonick, D. S. (1997). Survival statistics. Minneapolis, MN: StatPac Inc.
• Willen, B. (1981). Distance education at Swedish universities: An evaluation of the experimental programme and a follow-up study. Stockholm: Uppsala Studies in Education.